PHOENIX SUNS

Gambo: Nets RFA PG D’Angelo Russell not an option for Suns

Jun 18, 2019, 1:14 PM | Updated: 2:36 pm

D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts to a call in the second quarter during the game aga...

D'Angelo Russell #1 of the Brooklyn Nets reacts to a call in the second quarter during the game against Toronto Raptors at Barclays Center on December 7, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Brooklyn Nets restricted free agent D’Angelo Russell makes just about all the sense in the world as a target for the Phoenix Suns in free agency.

He’s only 23 years old, is coming off an All-Star season and is good friends with Suns shooting guard Devin Booker.

Not only would the Suns be adding a good piece at a position of need, but they’d be making their franchise player happy with his backcourt mate being his best buddy.

All of that, however, does not appeal to the Suns, according to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro.

Buzz has grown in the Nets’ pursuit of Kyrie Irving, including SNY’s Ian Begley reporting Brooklyn is “unlikely” to have Russell back if they sign Irving.

Anthony Puccio of Nets Daily reports an agreement between the Nets and Irving is “close to a ‘done deal.'”

That opens the market for Russell, but Gambadoro reports Phoenix isn’t treating the point guard as an option.

There are a few reasons as to why the Suns would think this way.

For one, Russell is going to be expensive and the Suns would likely have to pay him a max offer.

Assuming the Suns bring back restricted free agent Kelly Oubre Jr., two avenues for the team to open space for Russell would be trading Tyler Johnson’s expiring contract or packaging wing Josh Jackson and forward T.J. Warren together. Johnson would likely require a first-round pick attached to him in order for the Suns to dump him, while the trade value of Jackson and Warren is a mystery.

Russell stylistically also isn’t the best fit next to Booker.

He’s a score-first point guard and is going to need at least 15 shots a game. Next to Booker, there are also shots that need to be had for center Deandre Ayton and Oubre. Russell’s biggest weakness arguably is his defense, which is an attribute he shares with Booker. That would add up to one of the worst defensive backcourts in the league.

Russell, though, provides plenty for the Suns on the court.

He gives them a true volume shooter, with his solid 36.9% shooting from deep on 7.8 attempts a game. If that sounds run of the mill, the lefty was one of 10 players in the league last season to reach those numbers, per Basketball-Reference. Bet on Booker joining that exclusive club as well after a down year shooting.

While he certainly is a scorer first, Russell has tremendous passing ability and averaged a career-high 7.0 assists per game for Brooklyn last season. If Russell and Booker were to team up, they’d be the only backcourt duo in the league besides Houston’s James Harden and Chris Paul to post at least six assists per game.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

10 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

14 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

17 hours ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

2 days ago

Gambo: Nets RFA PG D’Angelo Russell not an option for Suns